False ID illegal immigrant living in Dewsbury faces deportation

An illegal immigrant who paid thousands of pounds for false identity documents is facing deportation.

Shahid Mahmood was jailed for nine months yesterday (Wednesday) after he admitted using the false ID to stay in the UK and access free healthcare.

Mahmood, 28, came to the country in summer 2009 on a six month family visa.

But he failed to leave when the visa expired at the end of January 2010 and stayed unlawfully in the UK.

Leeds Crown Court heard how Mahmood’s father sold his land to pay £4,500 for false documents so his son could stay in the country.

Mahmood used the documents to register as a patient at the Mount Pleasant surgery in Batley in May 2011. He then accessed free healthcare, costing the NHS around £245. Prosecutor Heather Weir said: “During the process he provided his genuine passport with a resident permit in his name stating that he had indefinite leave to remain in the UK.”

She said Mahmood, of South View Terrace, Dewsbury, was arrested on other matters in April this year and refused to confirm his identity.

Immigration officials found five different anomalies, including a counterfeit vignette and landing stamp, when they checked his passport.

He was arrested for possessing identification documents with improper intent and made no comment when interviewed.

But he pleaded guilty to the charge in July.

James Littlehales, mitigating, said that his client was simply an “overstayer.”

“He’s been in custody for four months,” he said. “It’s been a very unpleasant experience as he does not speak English.”

Jailing him, Recorder Richard Wright QC said: “I anticipate you will be deported after you have served the sentence. This sentence is nine months imprisonment. You have very little left to serve.”

The judge asked that Mahmood, who had been seeking asylum, be deported since he had said that he was happy to return to Pakistan.